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Aunt says triple-murder suspect visited firepit where girl’s remains were later found

Derek Saretzky is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Hanne Meketech, 69, Terry Blanchette, 27, and 2-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette.

Two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and her father Terry Blanchette, 27, were killed in Blairmore, Alta., in September 2015. (Facebook)

By Nick KuhlThe Canadian Press

Tues., June 20, 2017

LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.—An aunt of Derek Saretzky’s has testified that contrary to what he told police, he had previously been to the site where the remains of a little girl he is accused of killing were found in a firepit.

Carmellia Saretzky told court she spotted her nephew at the church she attended in Blairmore, Alta., on Sept. 8, 2015, and invited him to her home in nearby Coleman for supper.

She said the next morning, after they attended mass, they went to the family ranch and were walking around when they came to the fire pit, where she said he showed particular interest in a huge scrap log pile used to make campfires.

He asked her how often her family members used the ranch, and she told him mostly just on weekends, unless someone was on holidays.

That same morning, Hanne Meketech, 69, was found dead in her mobile home in nearby Coleman, Alta.

Saretzky, 24, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in her death and the deaths five days later of 2-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and her father Terry Blanchette, 27, in Blairmore.

His aunt testified Monday that when she dropped him off at his apartment, he had a “lost look” but wouldn’t say what was wrong.

During their visit, she said he was “not himself” and didn’t talk much or laugh like he normally does.

“He was shaking,” she said.

He told her “he had done something bad, real bad.” When she asked if it was bad enough to call police, he said no.

When she asked if it was bad enough to send him to jail, he said no, “unless they catch me or find me.” He wouldn’t say what he did.

Court has been told that Saretzky later took officers to the firepit and confessed to killing Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, although he also told them he hadn’t been there until the day he killed her.

Medical examiner Dr. Tera Jones also testified Monday, outlining the results of her autopsy report on the victims.

She said Terry Blanchette had 42 injuries — 30 from blunt force and 12 from sharp force. She said she put the little girl’s “delicate and brittle” burned remains into an anatomical position, noting linear tool marks on the bones and incised wounds in several places.

Jones’ testimony was abruptly halted when a member of the jury requested a break.

She testified she couldn’t conclude an actual cause of death for the little girl, except to say it was not a natural death.

Photos of the bones and remains were not shown in court. The jury had a booklet of them, but the judge said they were not required to look at them.

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